After using my 2 Google Nest Cams (battery) for about 2 months now, I've made a few notable observations regarding the product shortcomings. Or rather the shortcomings that come with being forced to use the cameras with the Google Home app, rather than the the Nest app.
1. No timestamp on saved footage. How a simple, and basic feature like timestamping was omitted is a gross oversight for a IP video camera. It should be available as either a overlay on live/recorded video or as an embedded subtitle.
2. Inability to search for a specific date/time in the timeline without having to manually going to History -> Full History -> Start Date - End Date. It should be as simple as adding a "Select Date and Time" icon on the history timeline slider.
3. Inability to save footage based on start/end time. This one is related to the issue above, but even more specific. Nor only can you not specify a window of time you wish to look at, but you can't save any footage that google hasn't flagged as an event. Meaning you're at the mercy of Google's AI and its ability to detect events. Problem is that event detection is limited and far from reliable. So there's a good chance something happens on camera, doesn't trigger and event, and now you have absolutely NO WAY of saving footage from your own cameras. The only way around this is to download a 3rd party screen recording software for android and recording the playback manually.
4. Inability to save footage approaching 5min in length or longer simply doesn't work. If a camera successfully detects an event, but the duration approaches or exceeds 5 minutes, you will be unable to save the footage.
5. Inability to access video feed using chromecast devices (only works on Nest Hubs). The fact that a Google Cam can't cast to Google Chromecast is perplexing.
6. Inability to access video feed using desktop/browser. Self explanatory.
7. No support of any kind for ONVIF/RTSP stream connections. "Google believes open source solves real-world problems for everyone." If they're going to make that kind of statement, maybe the should support an open industry standard.
I deeply regret spending $440, and a $16/month subscription on devices that (in retrospect) can barely be considered security cameras. At this point they're more like glorified network webcams. It's a shame, because I've always been a fan of Google products and software. I'm hoping that many of these missing features are on the product update roadmap. Because if they're not... well, I should just go back to my $40 IP cameras which provided every feature listed above with no additional monthly subscription costs.
